Interested in becoming a volunteer counsellor for Marriage Care?
Our next training course will begin in 2027. We will be pleased to receive expressions of interest now.
It is important to us that all who train and volunteer with Marriage Care can subscribe to our charity’s ethos and vision. Our marriage preparation service is a good way to familiarise yourself with this, and to gain a greater understanding of what it is like to volunteer for us. The content of our marriage preparation courses is relevant and useful to the work of relationship counselling. Having contributed to our marriage preparation service in some way will be considered a desirable attribute in our person specification when it comes to the counselling course selection process. It is therefore strongly advised that, as part of your preparation for the course application, you arrange to involve yourself in our marriage preparation service. Applications for this should be submitted by 1 st September 2025.
I am already a qualified counsellor. How can I join Marriage Care?
Qualified counsellors follow almost the same route as new practitioners, including volunteering for our Marriage Preparation service. Please see the Pathways for more information.
Do qualified counsellors get paid?
All of our counsellors are volunteers. Marriage Care provides ongoing CPD, supervision, local/regional support, travel expenses and insurance. Trainee counsellors do not have to find their own placements or clients – this is managed by our appointments service.
How much time am I expected to give?
We ask all of our counsellors to give a minimum of 2 counselling sessions per week. You should be aware that there are additional time commitments – a minimum of 1.5 hours supervision per month, for example, and time for academic work and training , if you are a trainee.
Can I apply without volunteering for Marriage Preparation?
Yes, you can. We will be accepting applications without Marriage Preparation experience in the early Autumn of 2026. However, please note that, whilst it will not guarantee a place on our counselling training programme, prior volunteering in our Marriage Preparation service will be valuable experience and will be considered a desirable attribute in your application.
How long is Marriage Care’s counselling training course?
We are in the process of reviewing our course, and so the precise course length is to be confirmed. However, you can expect the academic phase of training to take up to two years, part-time. The CRC is awarded when all the academic requirements have been met and 160 hours counselling hours completed.
How much does the training cost?
Our counselling training is currently free of charge. However, we do ask for a contribution towards costs, and always welcome donations. We are a charity that does not receive any government funding, and who relies upon the fees and donations that we attract for our services, as well as fundraising, to provide our relationship support.
How much counselling experience will I need to have before I join the course?
Our courses are designed for those with no prior experience, although we do suggest that you undertake an ‘Introduction to Counselling’, or similar, course before commencing our training.
Read our pathways to qualification with us for more information.
How can I find out more about Marriage Preparation?
Discover more about our marriage preparation service and/or make contact with us at volunteer@marriagecare.org.uk
What do I do next?
Contact Beth DeGraft-Johnson beth@marriagecare.org.uk if you are
interested in our training. Discover more about the various pathways according to your prior
counselling experience.
Relationship Counsellor
Marriage Care believe that supporting couple relationships is a matter of social justice as poor relationships lead to greater inequalities in our society. Our volunteer counsellors enable those in need to access professional counselling – regardless of their ability to pay.
Placements at Marriage Care
Unfortunately, due to a lack of resources, Marriage Care is unable to offer counselling placements to students on external courses. The BACP has a placement data base (for BACP student members only) which might be helpful.